Refrigeration apparatus



Nov. 28, 1939. w. M SAUNDERS REFRIGERATION APPARATUS F'ild Nov. 2a, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVENTOR mLL/AM M. .Snuuoses WITNESSES:

ATTOR Patented Nov. 28, .1939

UNITED STATES REFRIGERATION APPARATUS William Maxwell Saunders, Longmeadow, Mass.,

- assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturi'ng Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November 23, 1938, Serial-No. 241,939

11 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cabinets and more especially to refrigerated display cases. It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerated display case in which dehydration of 5 the foods displayed therein is minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated cabinet of the type described having upper and lower compartments, each of which is maintained 'at a substantially uniform 10 temperature and the refrigeration of one of which 1 20 this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a refrigerator em- I bodying the invention taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2 and with parts broken away for clearnessz,

, and, 25 Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the refrigerator taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral l9 represents a refrigerator cabinet having an upper compartment II and a lowercompartment l2. A cooling unit I3 is disposed between the compartments I! and I2 and is supported in a slightly inclined position on brackets I4. The cooling unit l3 comprises spaced stripsof metal-J5 through which a refrigerant carrying '5 tube It is passed back and forth. A shelf I'I comprising spaced metal bars i8 is supported by pins [9 or bars running lengthwise immediately above the cooling unit l3, and metal pans 24 for the materials to be displayed are supported on the shelf 11. A drain baflie comprising a double row of angle bars 23 is secured in an inclined position byhooks 24 to the cooling unit [3 and conveys the moisture dripping from the unit towards the front wall of the refrigerator and permits it to drip into a trough 25. The trough 25 is provided with a pipe 29- through which the condensate drains into a water pan 21' in the bottom of the lower compartment of the refrigerator. The water pan 21 is provided with a drain pipe 28, the entrance opening 29 of which is elevated above the bottom of the pan 21- so that a portion of the water is retained in the pan 2'! to humidify the air in the refrigerator. A perforated false bottom 3| for the lower compartment I2 is supported by inturned flanges 32 on the edges of the water pan 21.

Front walls 33 and rear walls 34 of the upper compartment I I are sloped and the front wall 33 is provided with Windows 35 through which cus- 5 tomers can see the merchandise displayed on the shelf I1. Rear walls 34 and 36 of both the upper compartment II and the lowercompartment [2 are provided with doors 3! and 38, the doors 31 of the upper compartment ll being of the sliding, glass panel type.

In accordance with this invention, the air in the refrigerator is circulated to equalize the temperature in each compartment.- The general direction of the air flow in the compartments ll and I2 is preferably upward so that the air does not impinge directly upon the merchandise displayed on the pans 2 I. This reducesthe dehydration of the merchandise,

The circulation of the air is established by withdrawing air through a perforated conduit 42 in the top of the refrigerator and conducting it downwardly through a space between a false wall 43 and a side wall 44 of .therefrigerator. The false side wall 43 has a portion cut out near its bottom, which opening is closed by a curved plate 46 to provide an enlargement in the air space for the fan 39 and the motor 4|. A horizontal partition 41 is also provided in the space inline with the fan 39 to insure that the air circulated by the fan 39 passes through the storage chambers H and I2 of the refrigerator. The air space in the side wall of the refrigerator has an opening connecting with the air space below the false'bottom 3| of the lower refrigerator compartment l2 and the air enters the' lower compartment. 12 throughperforations. in the false bottom 3!.

A second cooling unit 49, of similar construc-' tion to the cooling unit l3,.is located near the 0 front wall of the refrigerator and is supported on brackets 5| above the trough 25. Atube 52 of the second cooling unit 49 is connected in series with the tube 16 of the cooling unit l3 and ends 53 of the combined tube are brought out 5 through the walls of. the refrigerator for connection to a refrigerant supply unit (not shown); The function of the second cooling unit 49 is to aid in cooling the lower compartment l2 which otherwise may be too warm since 'it receives the 50 warmest air of the upper compartment H which air is further warmed in the air duct adjacent the false side wall 43 and the air duct below the false bottom 3|. The circulation of the air through the-storage compartments ii and i2 is 7 ther aided by a baille 54 adjacent the unit 49 which separates the downward convectional air flow from the general upward air flow in the storage compartment I2. To further aid the convectional air flow, the perforations 48 in the false bottom 3| are provided only in the front portion away from the secondcooling unit 49. This sets up an eddy current above the imperforated portion of the false bottom 3| which coincides substantially with the path of the convectional air current set up by the second cooling unit 49 and increases the speed of circulation of this current.

As shown by the arrows in Fig. 1, the downward convectional air flow commingles at the bottom of the lower chamber 12 with the general upward air flow in this chamber and aids in cooling the lower chamber. This commingling action is effected by the ejector action of the jets of air flowing through the perforations 48 in the false bottom 3|, and results in cooling the air in the lower chamber l2 tosubstantially the same, or if desired, a. lower temperature than the air in the upper compartment l I.

The upper compartment I l is intended for displaying the merchandise to the customers and thelower compartment [2 for storing the reserve supply of merchandise. At night and during holidays the merchandise in the upper compartment -ll may be removed and placed in the lower compartment l2 and the. motor 4| stopped. 7 This will substantially reduce the refrigeration of the upper 7 compartment II. and reduce the cost of operating the refrigerator.

It will be apparent. that this invention provides a refrigerator in which the temperature is uniform in eachcompartment andin whichthe dehydra tion of the food. displayed therein is reduced, to a; minimum. -It alsoprovid'es a display .case having an upper compartment, the refrigeration of which may be substantially reduced to reduce the cost of operation. v While I have shownmyinvention in but. one

form, it will be. obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of ,vari ous changes and modifications without departing from. the spirit .thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed therev upon as are imposed by theprior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

WhatIclaimisr. 1. In a display refrigerator, the combination of a cabinet, a relatively fiat and substantially horizontal cooling .unit therein dividing saidcabinet info upper and lower .foodstorage compart-- ments,,saidcooling unit-having closely spaced air passages substantially throughout its area, said cooling unit cooperating with the walls of said cabinet to prevent substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, means associated with said cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper-portion of said upper compartment .to said air propellingmeans, means for discharging air from said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment and remote from said cooling unit, the air thereafter passing through the air passages of said cooling unit to said upper compartment, whereby said air is cooled substantially uniformly as it passes through the cooling unit.

2. In a display refrigerator, the combination of means forming a cabinet, means for cooling said cabinet comprising a relatively large, fiat, and substantially horizontal cooling unit therein defining storage compartments in said cabinet above and below said cooling unit, said cooling unit having closely spaced air passages throughout a substantial area thereof, means for preventing substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, means associated with said cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said cabinet to said air propelling means, means for discharging air from said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment remote from said cooling unit, the air thereafter passing through the air passages of said cooling unit to said upper compartment, whereby said air is cooled substantially uniformly and substantially throughout the entire area of said cooling unit.

3. In a display refrigerator, the combination of means forming a cabinet, means for cooling said cabinet comprising a relatively large, flat, and substantially horizontalcooling unit therein defining storage compartments in said cabinet above and below said cooling unit, said cooling unit having closely spaced air passages throughout a substantial area thereof, means for preventing substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, means associated with said cabinet for propelling air,

means for directingairfrom an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said cabinet to said air propelling means, means for discharging at a spe e dlof about six feet per minute and substantial ly uniform ly through the air passages of said cooling unit, to cool the air uniformly there- QIn a display. refrigerator, the combination of .a cabinet, a relatively fiat and substantially horizontal cooling unit therein dividing said cabinet into upper and lower food storage compartmerits, said cooling unit having closely spaced air passages substantially. throughout its area,

said cooling unit cooperating with the wallsfofi said cabinet to prevent substantial quantities, of

air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly. from one compartment to the other, a drip collector below said cooling unit,said drip collector comprising spaced apart troughs, means associated. with said. cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the'upper portion of. said upper compartment to said air propelling means, means for discharging air from said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment remotefrom said cooling unit, the air'thereafter passing through the drip collector and the cooling unit to said upper compartment, whereby said air is cooled substantially uniformly as it passes through the cooling unit.

5. In a display refrigerator, the combination of a cabinet, a relatively flat and substantially horizontal cooling unit therein dividing said cabinet into upper and lower food storage compartments,

said cooling unit having closely spaced air pas-v sages substantially throughout its area, said cooling unit cooperating with the walls of said cabinet to prevent substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, a drip collector associated with the cooling unit, a pan in the bottom of .the lower compartment, means for conducting the condensate from the drip collector to the pan, means associated with said cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said upper compartment to said air propelling means, means for discharging, air from said air propelling means across said pan and over an extended-area into the lower compartment remote from said cooling unit, the air there from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other,

' means associated with said cabinet for propelling air, means for rendering said air propelling means inactive, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said upper compartment to said air propelling means, means for discharging air from said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment remote from said cooling unit, the air thereafter passing uniformly through the air passages of said cooling unit to said upper compartment to cool said air substantially uniformly, the refrigeration of the upper compartment being substantially reduced when said air propelling means is rendered inactive.

7. In a display refrigerator, the combination of means forming a cabinet, means for cooling said cabinet comprising a relatively large, flat, and substantially horizontalcooling unit therein defining storage compartments above and below said cooling unit, said cooling unit having closely spaced air passages throughout a substantial area thereof, means for preventing substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, means associated with said cabinet for propelling'air, means for directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said cabinet to said air propelling means;-means for discharging air from said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment remote from said cooling unit, the air thereafter passing through the air passages of said cooling unit to said upper compartment and an auxiliary cooling unit in the lower compartment,

the air being cooled substantially uniformly on its passage through said first-named cooling unit.

8. In a display refrigerator, the combination of means forming a cabinet, means for cooling said pelling means cabinet comprising a relatively large, flat, and substantially horizontal main cooling unit therein defining storage compartments in said cabinet above and below said main cooling ,unitQsaid main cooling unit having closely spaced air ':as- 5 sages throughout a substantial area thereof, means for preventing substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said main cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, an auxiliary cooling unit in the lower, 10

compartment, means associated .with said cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air -from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of saidcabinet to said air propelling means, means for discharging air from said air propelling means 16 over an extended area into the lower compartment remote from both said main cooling unit and said auxiliary coolingnunit, the air thereafter dividing, a portion thereof passing directly through the main cooling unit and another portion thereof 20 passing through said auxiliary cooling unit and 4 thereafter commingling with the air entering said lower compartment. I

9. In a display refrigerator, the combination of means forming a cabinet, means for cooling said cabinet comprising a relatively large; flat, and substantially horizontal main cooling unit therein dividing, storage compartments in said cabinet above and below said main cooling unit, said main cooling unit having closely spaced air passages throughout a substantial area thereof, means for preventing substantial quantities of air from passing around the edges of said main cooling unit directly from one compartment to the other, an auxiliary cooling unit in said lower compartment adjacent one side thereof, a baille adjacent said auxiliary cooling unit, 'means' for' directing air from an extended area adjacent the upper portion of said cabinet to said air propelling means, means for discharging air from 40 said air propelling means over an extended area into the lower compartment remote from said main cooling unit and said auxiliary cooling'unit, the air thereafter dividing and the'larger portion of said air passing through said main cooling unit and asmaller portion of said air circulating over said bafile and through said secondary cooling unit, said smaller portion of air thereafter commingling with the air entering the lower .compartment.

10. In a display refrigerator, the combination of a cabinet, a relatively flat and substantially horizonta1 main cooling unit therein dividing said cabinet into an upper and lower storage compartment, the edges of said cooling unit cooperating with the cabinet to prevent substantial quantities of air passing from one compartment directly to the other around the edges of said cooling unit, an auxiliary cooling unit in said lower compartment, a false bottom in said lower compartment 0 having spaced-apart openings therein over a substantial area remote from said secondary cooling unit, means associated with said cabinet for propelling air, means for directing air from an extended area at the upper portion of said upper 5 compartment to said air propelling means, and means for discharging the air from said prointo said lower compartment through the openings in the false bottom thereof towards the cooling unit to produce an ejector 7o actionwhich draws air downwardly through said auxiliary cooling unit and commingles it with the air issuing through said openings.

11. In a refrigerator, the combination of a cabinet, a main cooling unit therein defining stor- V age compartments on two sides thereof, one of said compartments having openings in a wall remotehfrom said cooling unit, means for withdrawing air from the other compartment at-a location remote from the cooling unit and passing it through said openings towards the main cooling unit, and an auxiliary cooling unit in the compartment containing said openings and to one side of the air stream issuing therefrom, whereby said air stream effects an ejector action which withdraws air from adjacent the auxiliary cooling unit and commingles it with the air issuing from said openings to additionally cool said last-named 5 compartment.

WILLIAM SAUNDERS. 

